Pre- and Post-Harvest Changes in Carotene, Total Carotenoids and Ascorbic Acid Content of Sweetpotatoes

Abstract

The results of experiments conducted with 4 varieties of sweet potato at the U.S. Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland, were: (1) carotene and total carotenoid pigments increased in the earlier part of the season, usually reaching maximum concentration about the normal harvest time, and then decreased, while the ascorbic acid content followed a similar pattern in 3 out of the 4 varieties and in all 4 decreased after the normal harvest time; (2) the time of harvest appeared to be of less importance in determining the post-harvest behaviour of carotenoid pigments than the pre-harvest environmental factors, and had relatively little effect on the behaviour of ascorbic acid during storage.